A Screenwriter's Journey

Category: My Life

Is the world a shitty place?

Judging by Facebook, the local news, or by the conversations we hear at a cafe or on a bus, things aren’t good. Jenny feels screwed over by her phone company. That ‘other’ government is a threat to our national security. The crooked-toothed woman who smells of cat piss can’t understand why the city council hasn’t done anything about that pedestrian crossing down near the shops and if it was up to her she’d put in lights there so that the cars had to stop because it’s only a matter of time before… blah… blah… blah… Continue reading

Trying to juggle your writing with a job, a family, a home, all while trying to keep your health and your mind together? Well, it’s not easy. It’s not for the uncommitted. And it does take its toll.

I’m going to be brutally honest with you. Sometimes this writing life becomes too much. The demands of everything around me can swell to a point where I become physically, mentally and spiritually drained. I feel like an old sponge; strangled dry and left crinkled, shrivelled and grey amidst a pile of unwashed dishes.

One day, while working for a notable retail chain, I was offered an exciting chance to step up and manage my own store. Wow. All that hard work and dedication was about to pay off. But then the inner questions started: Did I want to stay with this company? Did I want to stay in retail? Was this a purpose I really cared for?

I realised what really gave me joy was screenwriting. Something about the creativity of storytelling mixed with the technical analysis of structure – and then add in the psychological crafting of something profound? Well, it excites me to my core.Continue reading